Bikey, not Amougou, signs for Middlesbrough

11 September 2012 06:01

Andre Amougou was released by the Clarets at the end of last season. He's been training for some weeks with Middlesbrough and has, today, signed for them until the end of the season.

He last featured in a league game for Burnley at the beginning of 2012 when he was part of the back line that defended so well against Leeds after Kieran Trippier had been sent off. A few days later he had a poor game at Norwich in the FA Cup, eventually being replaced by Alex MacDonald.

He was never considered for the first team again. Attempts were made to sell him in January but when that came to nothing he remained at Burnley until a March deadline day move saw him play for Bristol City for virtually the rest of the season.

Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray has clearly been keen to sign him and it seems it has only been finance that's prevented a deal until now.

He said of him today. "Andre is a player I have liked for a long time. He is a different type of centre half to what we have got. He is a very powerful defender who has real physicality and he also has good technical ability.

"Andre hasn't played a great deal of football in the last year but when he gets up to speed our supporters will see the qualities he possesses."

What will they see? If they get the Andre Bikey who first played for Burnley against Manchester United then they really do have something to look forward to. If they get the Andre Amougou who played at Norwich then they'll wonder what on earth they've signed.

One thing Middlesbrough have confirmed. After a year of Amougou he's returning to his previous name of Bikey which will appear on his shirt.